Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin | Toward the better future we know is possible

Justice for Jacob Blake

In our fight for the health and safety of Southeast Wisconsin’s residents, justice and equity are, and must continue to be, centered in our work as the Clean Power Coalition. Environmental and racial justice work are one and the same, and we stand in solidarity with those calling for justice for Jacob Blake.

Mr. Blake was shot multiple times in front of his children — none of them were treated with the dignity and respect each human being deserves. Instead of fighting for survival, he should be at home caring for his family in the midst of an already difficult pandemic.

Black lives matter and must be honored in Southeast Wisconsin. As a coalition, we demand action every day for clean air and water, better public health, and a stable climate. Today, we join those demanding justice for Jacob Blake, his family, and all of those who have suffered from police brutality. We invite you to join us.

You can donate to the Milwaukee Freedom Fund to support Wisconsinites who are protesting police violence. You can donate to Jacob Blake’s Go Fund Me to help cover medical costs as he is now paralyzed from the waist down and will need ongoing medical care.

Join the Clean Power Coalition and the Sierra Club for a Statewide Week of Climate Action Aug. 3-7

Organizations and grassroots efforts across Wisconsin are joining together during the first week of August to call upon utilities to close dirty, expensive, oppressive, coal-fueled power plants. Six coal plants in the state have yet to be announced for retirement. We don’t have to wait for the utility companies to think it’s a good idea – we can make sure they hear loud and clear that we demand an end to burning toxic coal – for our health, the economy, our planet, and justice. In Southeast Wisconsin, we live among a pair of coal-fueled power plants operated by We Energies at their Oak Creek facilities. We also breathe some of the worst air in the state. Let’s make sure we turn out during the week of action so our voices are heard. RSVP now to receive updates and details so you can take collective action each day.

Clean Power Coalition’s Solidarity with #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd

What we are committed to as the Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin is banding together in the face of injustice and working toward a healthy future for everyone. Typically, that commitment is focused on the injustices caused to the health of those who live in Southeast Wisconsin from the pollution created by We Energies’ coal fired power plants. Today the world calls upon us to apply our commitment in a broader context as we rise in solidarity with #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd, offer our support for George Floyd’s family, and condemn race-based injustice and brutality. Read the full statement including suggestions for taking action.

Documentary Premiere of “We Neighbors” and Presentation on History of Coal in Southeast Wisconsin Draws Standing-room-only Crowd

Around 130 people attended this free program on January 23 at the Riverbend Nature Center. Participants got the opportunity to ask questions of several of the neighbors featured in the documentary, as well as of industrial historian Keith Kohlmann who delivered a fascinating presentation on coal and coal trains.

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Local Family Featured on National Podcast

“The Power Plant has come in our neighborhood and taken over. They’ve bought out how many houses around here just to quiet people. They wanted us to move out, too. But we decided we are going to stay and fight them. We are going to stay and fight.” – The Michna Family.

The 11 siblings of the Michna family grew up on Michna Road in Caledonia where nearly all of them still live – despite having We Energies’ coal-fired power plant as a neighbor. Listen to their story in a recent episode of “The Land I Trust” podcast, which features storytellers from across the Midwestern US who share their experiences of climate change, the impacts of dirty fuels, and the fight for clean energy.

Disappointingly, PSC Approves WEC Rate Case Settlement

On Thursday, October 31, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission indicated that it intends to approve the proposed settlement in WEC Energy Group’s rate case. This is unfortunate because the settlement does not address the unnecessary extra cost of the uneconomic South Oak Creek plant, leaving ratepayers on the hook to cover $75 million each year the plant continues to operate. Read the Sierra Club’s statement, coverage on Wisconsin Public Radio and on Madison.com, and in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

EPA Approves DNR’s Stricter Water Permit for South Oak Creek

Based on review of extensive public comments, the DNR made two significant changes to the variance terms in We Energies’ proposed Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit, calling for 1) a slightly reduced mercury cap along with more robust measures to bring mercury levels into compliance going forward; and 2) a change in the Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) compliance deadline to 2021 from 2023. Following its 60-day review period for the permit variances, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the variances. This new WPDES permit will require WEC to invest millions more dollars to keep the South Oak Creek plant running – a plant we know is losing money. This adds new pressure on WEC for commitment to an earlier retirement of the plant.

See Live Data From PurpleAir Monitors

CPC owned monitors are tracking air quality around the Oak Creek plants. Click on a numbered green dot for details.

Welcome to the Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin!

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